Recently I've been re-thinking the old saying: When the going gets tough, how do we get going - again?
Setback and progress; that's the course of life. For some time, both have seemed acute: The global pandemic, economic disruption and personal losses have felt like unrelenting setbacks. The strength of medicine, families and plain ol' neighborly kindness shows how our best shines through. Some days we are down and out; other days, surging back.
On the edge of our thoughts: Are we finally going, once again?
When I think of my challenges, I remember the past. Not only how I've overcome them before. But the broader past - history, as my middle-school Latin teacher brought it to life. "In the words of past," Mr. Vivian taught me, "you'll find the seeds of the future." His love of languages inspired us: Every day we'd challenge him to define words randomly found in the dictionary. Every time, he'd explain them, and demonstrate how they remained alive today.
And the role they would play -
In the future.
In Latin, the word "challenge" has many forms. It comes from the word for "provocative" as well as "clarion" - a loud call upon a battlefield to demand justice. As a verb, it also means to "excite" or stimulate a reaction. In many aspects, the word isn't only negative: Its roots connect to the idea of "calling forth" something within us - a power and ability to push back -
And to push forward!
Some days I dwell upon my challenges. When things go off the path I'd envisioned, I often feel swamped. I used to think the goal was to avoid challenges - or better yet, outsmart them. Even when some challenges must inevitably come, I still hope they swiftly go.
Over time, however, I've learned that without my challenges - there is no call to my better self. No demand for action, for strength and confidence and hope. By design, life's challenges provoke me because, somehow, it knows that's where my best can be found. I've learned to call upon the past. Because somebody has been provoked by something similar before. Their success gives me confidence and hope that -
So can I!
A challenge isn't a problem.
It's a signpost.
Challenges don't detour us.
They direct us.
When they call:
Answer them with the best -
Of YOU!